On April 19, 2013 Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law Adjunct Professor of Business Immigration and Managing Partner Michael Wildes of Wildes & Weinberg, P.C addressed approximately 100 undergraduate students from Yeshiva University Sy Syms School of Business and Stern College.
Each Spring the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University hosts the Doris and Dr. Ira Kukin Entrepreneurial and Executive Lecture Series, as part of the Rennert Leadership Institute at the University. This lecture series provides an intimate forum for business leaders, entrepreneurs, trailblazers and innovators across diverse business sectors to share their insights with a group of our students, primarily seniors majoring in business or accounting.
This series provides tudents with a personal setting in which to learn from the most influential business and leadership minds, representing the most successful organizations in the world. It is an invaluable experience for the students and a high point in their program. Some of the many leaders who have spoken as visiting lecturers include Joseph Shenker (Sullivan and Cromwell), Jeff Swartz (Timberland), Mickey Drexler (JCrew), Alan (Ace) Greenberg (Bear Stearns), Jim Robinson (AMEX), Warren Eisenberg (Bed, Bath & Beyond),Sumner Redstone (Viacom), Michael Bloomberg, Howard Jonas (IDT), Josh Weston (ADP) Abbey Joseph Cohen (Goldman Sachs), Fred Wilpon (NY Mets), and Neal Shaprio (WNET/PBS).
Each speaker is invited to share with the students their perspectives on: (1) the current business environment, generally and for their own business or organization; (2) key learnings and experiences in building and currently leading their own organization; and finally, (3) personal observations regarding their own development, lessons about leadership, and career path.
Mr. Wildes used this opportunity to speak with the students and provide insight into his profession. He explained that his passion for immigration law stemmed from his fondest childhood memories – that of accompanying his father to his law firm, which was founded over 5 decades ago. Clearly, Mr. Wildes’ vivid recollections of watching his father practice law left an indelible imprint on him and helped set his path for a future to practice immigration law. Mr. Wildes conveyed to the students that although he had a firm to go to join upon graduation of law school, to this day, he does not take for granted the opportunity his father provided for him. Mr. Wildes impressed upon that students that he recognizes that:
“No doubt starting a business was hard for my father in 1960 and I have never taken for granted that extraordinary opportunity and legacy. These days whether you walk into a business or apply for a job it is important to understand that there is no “entitlement”. As the leaders of tomorrow and the voices of commerce – – it is important for you to draw the right conclusions and to guide yourself ethically and properly no matter what business or profession you pursue. In these difficult economic times as we face uncertainty in our lives and challenges, it is important for us to understand your true character will be revealed not only by the kind of job you seek but the way in which you actualize your dreams.”
As a business focused seminar, Mr. Wildes provided examples of how the law firm of Wildes & Weinberg, an entity practicing law, also operates as a business. He explained the framework in which the firm operates and emphasized the importance of client services and all that it entails to run a successful organization. At the end of the lecture, students were given the opportunity to ask Mr. Wildes questions. The lecture proved to be a success by the students enthusiasm and continued need for Mr. Wildes to stay long after the lecture ended.
PICTURED HERE: Michael Wildes receives the “Doris and Dr. Ira Kukin Entrepreneurial Lecture Series Award” at Yeshiva University Beren Campus. To the left of Mr. Wildes is his father and Wildes & Weinberg Senior Partner Leon Wildes, as well as Yeshiva University’s Associate Dean, Entrepreneur In Residence, Clinical Professor of Management Sy Syms School of Business and Assistant to the Provost Michael Strauss. To Mr. Wildes right are Sy Syms School of Business representatives Oren Heskia, Daniel Hazan, Shlomo Aziz and Stern College representative Daniella Brecher.
To view the speech, please see our Media page or go to
The event was covered in the New Jersey Jewish Standard and in the Paramus Post.